Proceedings of 8th European Assembly on telework (Telework2001)

52In general, the transition from the previous to the recent paradigm is characterised by developmentstoward greater flexibility <strong>of</strong> labour deployment. A changing economic environment together withshifts in social attitudes and the widespread application <strong>of</strong> ICTs are believed to have resultedin greater spatial, contractual and temporal flexibility, shifts towards more self-provided socialsecurity provision, the need for multi-tasking and significantly more dynamic (social) skilldevelopments. ICTs are enablers <strong>of</strong> change but they do not predetermine outcomes. They donot e.g. push labour markets towards specific configurations, but open up new possibilities fororganising work. The way ICTs are applied to change the organisation <strong>of</strong> work is to a great extentdependent on the bargaining power <strong>of</strong> employers vis-à-vis workers, and on regulation by the state.New ways <strong>of</strong> working in the information society are for this research defined asthose work forms which divert from the post-WWII work paradigm and/but which are madeeconomically as well as socially feasible by the use <strong>of</strong> ICTs.The latter part <strong>of</strong> the definition acts as the major way to differentiate new ways <strong>of</strong> working againsttraditional atypical work forms such as shift-work and piece-work in manufacturing and selfemploymentin retail, small trade and the primary sector. We believe that all major parameters <strong>of</strong>the change in the organisation <strong>of</strong> work can be captured using this framework.4. Indicators for Measuring AdaptabilityTo measure the dimensions <strong>of</strong> change in work arrangements across countries, it is necessary toidentify suitable indicators and ensure availability <strong>of</strong> data from <strong>of</strong>ficial statistical sources or otherrepresentative surveys. For a first attempt at a Adaptability <strong>of</strong> Work Arrangements Index (AWAI)which is based on the dimensions <strong>of</strong> change <strong>of</strong> work described in the previous section, we havechosen the indicators mentioned in Table 3.